Extended nominations for the grand marshals of the 2026 Latino Heritage Parade and Festival close Monday, according to a City of Pasadena social media notice from the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department.
This year’s theme, “Unidos por el Latido de Nuestra Comunidad” (United by the Heartbeat of our Community), highlights the strength found in shared heritage and honors those local leaders and humble heroes whose everyday dedication fuels the heart and soul of our community, the organizers said.
Grand Marshal Selection Minimum Criteria
The nominee should be a person who has displayed outstanding service, support, and commitment to the county, state, and/or country and the betterment of the Latino Community through direct services and/or notable personal achievements.
The nominee should be able and willing to carry out the function of the Grand Marshal, including leading the parade and attending the fundraising kickoff reception, Parade VIP Breakfast, and on-stage award ceremony on parade day.
The nominee may not be a current City of Pasadena employee or elected official.
Community Grand Marshal Minimum Criteria
The nominee must reside in Pasadena.
The nominee should be an individual who has displayed outstanding service, support, and commitment to the local community for the betterment of the Latino Community through direct services and/or notable personal achievements.
The nominee should be able and willing to carry out the function of the Grand Marshal, including leading the parade, attending the fundraising kick-off reception, Parade VIP Breakfast, and on-stage award ceremony on parade day.
The nominee may not be a current City of Pasadena employee, or elected official.
The event changed shape last year, when the traditional parade portion was canceled. The festival went ahead alone at Centennial Square in front of Pasadena City Hall.
The city has traditionally sought nominations for two honors, grand marshal and community grand marshal.
The parade and festival began in 1999, organized by community volunteers, and the city formally partnered with the committee to co-produce it in 2014. Thousands traditionally the parade.
Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, was grand marshal in 2023, alongside community grand marshal Yuny Parada. Madison Elementary School teacher Martín Dorado and NASA astronaut José M. Hernández served as grand marshals in 2024.
Nominations may be emailed to PasadenaLatinoHeritage@gmail.com, or visit pasadenalatinoheritageparade.org.
Nominate a deserving community leader today at bit.ly/PLHP2026
Get our daily Pasadena newspaper in your email box. Free.
Get all the latest Pasadena news, more than 10 fresh stories daily, 7 days a week at 7 a.m.
